Picture-retaining device for picture frames



EAQZAW 0. MANUEL PICTURE RETAINING DEVICE FOR PICTURE FRAMES Filed July '7, 1922 w 1 72 .2.

Jim e726 or. 1

- clip.

Patented July 1?, i923.

titans atTEHliSTntt-ES rarest-m mes cent. r/r innnn, or sari FRANCISCO, oanrro'nnrn.

PICTURE-RETAINING neuron non rrcrunn FRAMES.

Application filed July 7,

T 0 aZZ whom it may concern Be it known that I, CARL MANUEL, a subject of Finland, residing at San Francisco, in the county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Picture-Retaining Devices for Picture Frames, of which the following is specification. A i

This invention relates to improvements in picture frames and the like, the principal object of which is to devise means whereby a picture or other exhibit maybe readily and quickly removed from the frame for replacement.

Another object is to provide means whereby the picture retaining element may be retained in an inoperative position during storage or when not in use.

A further object is to provide the above mentioned means in such a manner that it will not interfere with the hanging of the frame, and which will not mutilate the picture retained in the frame.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a rear elevation of a frame having my device applied thereto,

Figure 2 is a cross-section taken on the line 22 of Figure 1,

Figure?) is a detail perspective view of one of the retaining arms,

Figure 4: is a fragmentary detail view showing the manner of retaining the arms when in an inoperative position,

Figure 5 is a detail perspective View of one of the arm retaining clips, and

Figure 6 is a detail perspective view showing one of the arms in engagement with the In exhibiting pictures, it is often desirable to provide means whereby one picture may be removed from the frame and another substituted in place thereof, and it is to accomplish this object that I have devised my invention which consists of a plurality of arms extending across the frame, which arms may be swung into and out of the picture retaining position.

By referring to Figure 1, it will be noted that the numeral 7 refers to the ordinary picture frame which may be made of wood,

1922. Serial No. 573,349.

composition or any other suitable material,

vmeral 12 represents the usual backing.

At 13 and 14, I have shown arms which are pivoted as at 16 and 17 to the frame 7. By referring to Figure 3, it will be noted that these arms are preferably curved and made of spring material, the object of which will be later seen. Each arm carries anofiset lug as shown at 18 and 19, which lugs are ad acent the pivot point of the arm. The free ends of these arms are retained as by retainers 21, which retainers are U-shaped members and are preferably formed with a pin 22 integral therewith, which pin is adapted to enter the frame 7 as shown in Figure 2. I The operation of my device is as folows:

Assuming that the parts are as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and it is desired to remove the picture being held therein, the arms are moved to their dotted line position, the arm let being swung first to its dotted line position, and the arm 13 then being swung to its dotted line position, the result being that as these arms are swung to their dotted line positions, the lugs 18 and 19 will take a position at right angles to their first position and will then be in a position to retain the free ends of the opposite arm, that is, the lug 18 will overlie the free end of the arm 14; while the lug 19 will overlie the free end of the arm 13. The picture and back can then be removed and a new picture inserted or the parts may be left in their dotted line positions until such time as the frame has to again be used. By providing the arms out of spring material, the natural tendency to curve will retain the free ends of the arms in engage ment with the lugs 18 and 19 and will also maintain these arms in engagement with their retainers 21.

It will thus be seen that I have devised a very simple means for retaining a picture in a frame, and one which may be swung into and out of an operative position without 4 loss of time by having to remove permanent fastenings.

lVhile this attachment is preferably to be used in conjunction with picture frames, nevertheless, it is to be understood that the attachment can likewise be applied to mirrors and the like.

It is .to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be re sorted-to Without departing from the spirit of the invention 'o r't he scope of the'siibjoined claims. y,

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a device of the character described,

the combination with a frame, of pivoted arms secured to said-frame, and lugs formed on said arms, said lugs being adapted to retain the free end of the next adjacent arm when said arms are moved into position parallel to each other.

2. In a device of the characterdescribed,

"the combination With-a frame, of resilient arms pivoted to-one side of said frame,'an offset lug formedon each of said-arms and at a point adjacent their pivotal connection,

parallel to 'eachother.

3. In a deviceof the character described, the combination with a frame, of resilient arms ipivotally secured to said frame, and spaced one from the other, U shaped retainers secured to said frame at a point on the oppositeside from saidpivotal connection, said U shaped members being adapted to temporarily retain the free ends of said arms, and offset lugs formed on said arms at a point. adjacent their pivotal connection, said lugs being adapted to overlap andretain the free end of the next; adjacent arm when said arms'are moved into aposition parallelto each other. 1 a a A In testimony whereof I aflixmysign-ature. CARL MANDEL. 

